USCG Master 500-Ton Captain License

Under COLREGS Rule 19, when two vessels are in or near an area of restricted visibility, every vessel must:

• ASound a long blast every 30 seconds regardless of position
• BProceed at a safe speed adapted to restricted visibility and have engines ready for immed…
• CMaintain course and speed until the other vessel is sighted visually
• DSound passing signals as if meeting in good visibility

Under International Rules, a power-driven vessel underway making way through the water shall sound which fog signal?

• AOne short blast every two minutes
• BOne prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes
• CTwo prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
• DThree short blasts every minute

A power-driven vessel underway and stopped, not making way through the water, in restricted visibility must sound:

• AOne prolonged blast every two minutes
• BTwo prolonged blasts with about two seconds between them, at intervals of not more than t…
• COne short and one prolonged blast every two minutes
• DContinuous ringing of the bell

Under Inland Rules, on the Great Lakes a power-driven vessel of 100 meters or more in length at anchor shall sound, in addition to the rapid bell, what additional sound signal?

• AA prolonged blast on the whistle
• BA gong of distinctive tone for about five seconds in the after part of the vessel immedia…
• CThree short blasts on the whistle
• DContinuous siren for thirty seconds

Under Inland Rules, a vessel intending to overtake another in a narrow channel where the overtaken vessel must take action to permit safe passing shall sound:

• AOne short blast meaning 'I intend to pass on your starboard side'
• BTwo prolonged followed by one short blast for starboard overtaking, or two prolonged and…
• CFive short and rapid blasts
• DOne prolonged blast every minute

A vessel constrained by her draft, when making way under International Rules, may exhibit during the day:

• AA black ball forward
• BThree balls in a vertical line where best seen
• CA cylinder where best seen
• DTwo cones with apexes together

A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, with outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel shall exhibit, in addition to her normal fishing lights:

• AA second all-round red light at the masthead
• BAn all-round white light or a cone apex upward in the direction of the gear
• CThree balls in a vertical line
• DTwo all-round green lights in a vertical line

Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on under Inland Rules. The vessel that wants to pass port-to-port should sound:

• ATwo short blasts and alter course to port
• BOne short blast and alter course to starboard
• COne prolonged blast and hold course
• DFive short and rapid blasts

Under International Rules, two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. The vessel that has the other on her starboard side is the:

• AStand-on vessel and shall keep her course and speed
• BGive-way vessel and shall keep out of the way
• CVessel constrained by draft
• DVessel not under command

Under both International and Inland Rules, when the stand-on vessel may take action because the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, she should:

• AReverse her engines immediately and sound the danger signal
• BTake the most effective action to avoid collision, but if a power-driven vessel, must not…
• CAlter course to port to clear the give-way vessel quickly
• DMaintain course and speed regardless of risk

A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shall exhibit, in addition to lights for a power-driven vessel:

• AThree all-round red lights or three balls in a vertical line
• BThree all-round green lights or three balls, one at the foremast head and one at each end…
• CTwo all-round white lights in a vertical line
• DA black ball forward and two diamonds aft

Under Rule 9, a vessel less than 20 meters in length, a sailing vessel, or a vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede:

• AThe passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway
• BAny vessel constrained by her draft, even outside narrow channels
• CAny commercial fishing vessel
• DA vessel anchored in restricted visibility

A vessel constrained by draft, where applicable, exhibits at night, in addition to power-driven vessel lights:

• AThree all-round red lights in a vertical line
• BThree all-round green lights in a vertical line
• CTwo all-round white lights in a vertical line
• DTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line

Five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle, optionally supplemented by five or more short and rapid flashes of an all-round white light, signal:

• AIntention to overtake
• BDoubt about the intentions or actions of another vessel (danger signal)
• CEngine breakdown
• DRequest for a pilot

A vessel not under command underway and not making way through the water shall, in restricted visibility, sound which fog signal?

• AOne prolonged blast every two minutes
• BOne prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes
• CTwo prolonged blasts with two seconds between them every two minutes
• DContinuous ringing of the bell for five seconds every minute

The masthead light required on a power-driven vessel of 50 meters or more in length must be visible from how many points of the compass?

• A20 points (225 degrees) showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either…
• B32 points (360 degrees) all around the horizon
• C12 points (135 degrees) showing only abaft the beam
• D10 points (112.5 degrees) on each side

Under Rule 10, a vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:

• AProceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that…
• BAnchor in the separation zone to monitor traffic
• CCross the lane perpendicular to traffic flow at any time it is convenient
• DAlways proceed in the inshore traffic zone if available

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel engaged in mineclearance operations, shall exhibit at night:

• AThree all-round lights in a vertical line — the highest and lowest red, the middle white
• BTwo all-round red lights in a vertical line
• CThree all-round green lights in a vertical line
• DAn all-round yellow light over an all-round white light

On a vessel of 75 GRT operating as a passenger vessel for hire, the medical certificate for an officer is documented on which USCG form?

• ACG-719B Application for Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate
• BCG-719K Merchant Mariner Medical Evaluation Report (physician form)
• CCG-719S Small Vessel Sea Service Form
• DCG-835 Notice of Merchant Marine Inspection Requirements

Drug-test results required for issuance or renewal of a Merchant Mariner Credential are submitted on USCG form:

• ACG-719B
• BCG-719K
• CCG-719P Periodic Drug Testing form
• DCG-719S

Sea service for credential applications on vessels less than 200 GRT is documented on form:

• ACG-719B
• BCG-719K
• CCG-719S Small Vessel Sea Service Form
• DCG-2692 Marine Casualty Report

A vessel of 300 GRT or more engaged on a foreign voyage must report a marine casualty to the Coast Guard on what form?

• ACG-2692 Report of Marine Casualty, Commercial Diving Casualty, or OCS-Related Casualty
• BCG-719B Application for Mariner Credential
• CCG-835 Notice of Required Repairs
• DCG-2692B Personnel Casualty Report only

The Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued by the Coast Guard to an inspected passenger or small passenger vessel must be:

• ACarried in the master's quarters and not displayed publicly
• BPosted in a conspicuous place where it is most likely to be observed by passengers and cr…
• CFiled only with the local REC, not kept aboard
• DRenewed every two years regardless of vessel type

When mooring alongside a pier in a strong tidal current setting away from the dock, the best technique is generally to:

• AApproach parallel and let the current carry the vessel onto the dock
• BApproach into the current at a shallow angle, use ahead bell against the bow line to walk…
• CApproach with the current astern at high speed and back down hard at the last moment
• DAnchor offshore and use the launch to come alongside

A scope of 7:1 means anchoring with a length of rode equal to:

• ASeven times the vessel's length overall
• BSeven times the vertical distance from the bow chock to the seabed
• CSeven times the depth of water at low tide only
• DSeven shots of chain regardless of depth

On a vessel with a right-handed single-screw propeller going astern with no rudder helm applied, the bow will normally:

• AWalk to port (stern walks to port; bow walks to starboard)
• BWalk to starboard (stern walks to port; bow walks to starboard)
• CRemain on a steady heading
• DWalk to port and the stern to starboard

On a vessel underway, the term 'pivot point' generally refers to:

• AA point near the stern around which the vessel rotates when making way ahead
• BA point about one-quarter to one-third of the length from the bow when making way ahead
• CThe exact geometric center of the vessel at all times
• DA point above the waterline that varies only with displacement

A bow thruster is generally MOST effective when the vessel is:

• AMaking maximum ahead speed
• BStopped or moving at very low speed through the water
• CBacking at full astern bell
• DHove to in heavy weather

A 'bitter end' on shipboard refers to:

• AThe eye splice that takes the strain
• BThe inboard end of the anchor chain or line that is secured aboard the vessel
• CThe outboard or working end of the line in use
• DA frayed end that must be cut off

Three-strand nylon line is preferred over polypropylene for mooring lines mainly because nylon:

• AFloats high in the water and resists chafing
• BHas much greater elasticity and shock-absorbing capacity
• CIs immune to UV degradation
• DSinks and stays out of the propeller

A spring line is used to:

• APrevent fore-and-aft movement of the vessel along the dock
• BHold the vessel parallel to the dock at the breast
• CAnchor the vessel to a buoy
• DTow another vessel astern

The watch officer should generally use which type of compass bearing when reporting positions of contacts to the master in extremis?

• ARelative bearings (bow is 000R, beam is 090R)
• BTrue bearings (referenced to true north)
• CMagnetic bearings only, never true
• DGyro bearings without applying gyro error

Under Subchapter T (small passenger vessels) standing orders, the master should require the OOW to call the master when:

• AVisibility is reduced, traffic congestion increases, or any doubt arises about the vessel…
• BOnly when a man-overboard or collision actually occurs
• COnly when the watch changes at the top of the hour
• DOnly when fuel falls below 50 percent

Under 46 CFR, a small passenger vessel of 100 GRT or less carrying more than six passengers is generally inspected under:

• ASubchapter T (small passenger vessels carrying not more than 150 passengers or with overn…
• BSubchapter K (small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers or with overnight…
• CSubchapter I (cargo and miscellaneous vessels)
• DSubchapter H (oceanographic research vessels)

Aboard a 300 GRT vessel, the official logbook entries for births, deaths, and crew offenses are required by:

• A46 U.S.C. (Title 46 U.S. Code) and 46 CFR — required for documented vessels of certain to…
• BOptional and at the master's discretion only
• COSHA regulations only
• DOnly by the vessel's flag-state insurance carrier

Under 46 CFR Subchapter T, a small passenger vessel is required to conduct fire and abandon-ship drills:

• AWeekly, with the master verifying participation of all crew
• BAnnually before the COI inspection
• COnly when carrying overnight passengers
• DQuarterly only on coastwise routes

The acronym 'PASS' for operating a portable fire extinguisher stands for:

• APull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side
• BPull pin, Activate alarm, Spray, Stop
• CPrepare, Approach, Shoot, Step back
• DPressurize, Aim, Spray, Secure

A Class B fire involves which type of fuel?

• AOrdinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth
• BFlammable liquids and gases such as fuel oil, gasoline, and grease
• CEnergized electrical equipment
• DCombustible metals like magnesium and sodium

When fighting a galley grease fire (Class K), the FIRST action is generally to:

• AThrow water on it to cool the oil
• BCut off the heat source and smother the fire with a lid or wet metal cover, or use a Clas…
• COpen all galley vents to clear the smoke
• DDischarge the engine-room CO2 system

On a vessel fitted with a fixed CO2 system protecting the engine room, before releasing the agent the master should ensure:

• AAll ventilation is secured, fuel and quick-closing valves are shut, and all personnel hav…
• BAll watertight doors are opened so the agent flows freely
• CThe vessel is anchored
• DThe bilge is flooded with seawater

The proper SOLAS lifejacket light is:

• AA red strobe visible for at least 4 hours and 2 candela
• BA white light, steady or flashing at 50-70 flashes per minute, visible for at least 8 hou…
• CA yellow chemical light only, no battery
• DA green light visible only above the horizon

An EPIRB transmits on which frequency to be detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system?

• A121.5 MHz only
• B406 MHz for satellite detection, with a 121.5 MHz homing signal for SAR units
• C243.0 MHz only
• D156.8 MHz (VHF channel 16) only

A Category I EPIRB is:

• AManually deployed and activated only — never floats free
• BFloat-free, automatically activated when the hydrostatic release operates upon vessel sin…
• CPermanently attached to the bulkhead and water-activated only when manually placed in the…
• DAn older 121.5 MHz only model no longer authorized

On a small passenger vessel, the master should respond to a man-overboard FIRST by:

• ASounding three prolonged blasts and recording the position in the log
• BThrowing a life ring with light/dye marker, posting a pointer to keep the person in sight…
• CNotifying the Coast Guard before any other action
• DMustering all passengers at the lifeboat station

A Williamson turn is used in a man-overboard recovery when:

• AThe person was seen entering the water and the vessel has limited turning room
• BThe person has been missing for some time and you need to return the vessel along the rec…
• CYou are at anchor
• DYou are in an ice field

MARPOL Annex V prohibits the discharge into the sea of:

• AAll plastics, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets, and plastic garbage bags, anywhere
• BOnly paper waste
• COnly ash from incinerators
• DPlastics, but only inside special areas

Under U.S. law, a vessel of 26 feet or more in length must have a placard about discharge of oil posted:

• AIn the machinery space and any operating station from which the discharge of oil might be…
• BOnly at the gangway
• COnly in the bridge
• DOptional posting — only required for tank vessels

When fighting a fire from the windward side, the master gains which key advantage?

• AThe wind carries smoke and heat away from firefighters
• BWater spray is more effective against the wind
• CIt allows the use of dry chemical against electrical fires
• DIt avoids the need for SCBAs entirely